Portable insulated carrier for containers

ABSTRACT

An insulated carrier for beverage containers, and particularly suitable for use with golfing equipment, is in the form of an expanded cellular polystyrene, hollow cylindrical housing. The housing is split longitudinally into two semi-cylindrical sections and is held in operative assembly by interconnected end pieces. One of the semi-cylindrical sections is fixably held by the end pieces and the other section is releasably held in operative assembly by a hinged portion of one of the end pieces so that upon opening the hinged portion, the releasable section may be removed for inserting or removing containers, such as bottles or cans of beer, soda or the like, as well as dry ice or other refrigerant. A spring urges the hinged portion of the end piece into engagement with the removable section, and the spring is configured for clamping a score card, or the like, onto the end piece. The end pieces are rigidly and fixedly secured to each other by a rod generally parallel to the cylindrical housing. Each end piece is integral with a projection axially aligned with the rod for mounting the carrier in the typical umbrella holder on a golf bag. Additionally, these projections facilitate carrying the container in the manner of carrying a cane and, if desired, clamps may be provided on the rod or the projections for clamping the carrier to a tubular structural member of a golf cart, or any other suitable support.

United States atent Hutchins Aug. 12, 1975 PORTABLE INSULATED CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS 57 ABSTRACT [76] Inventor: Walter Hutchins 42 Bshop An insulated carrier for beverage containers, and parwest Hartford Conn' 06] ticularly suitable for use with golfing equipment, is in [22] Fil d; J 2, 1973 the form of an expanded cellular polystyrene, hollow cylindrical housing. The housing is split longitudinally [21 1 Appl' 320443 into two semi-cylindrical sections and is held in operative assembly by interconnected end pieces. One of 52 us 3 220 4 3; 21 1 13 220 1 the semi-cylindrical sections is fixably held by the end 220/85 H; 243/96 pieces and the other section is releasably held in oper- 51 Int. Cl B65d 7/00; B65d 25/00 ative assembly y a hinged Portion of one of the end [58] Field of Search 220/4 E, 4 B, 5 R, 5 A, pieces so that p Opening the hinged Portion, the

220 35 H, 17 30 35 13; 24 9 21 12 releasable section may be removed for inserting or removing containers, such as bottles or cans of beer, 56] R f e Cit d soda or the like, as well as dry ice or other refrigerant. A Spring urges the portion Of the end piece 7Q) 08w H1887 Dexter 270/35 into engagement with the removable section, and the l Isa 1,191; DOA.1111'""'"""""'iiii'iiiifaa/s 1; string 15 Configured f clamping a ff 6 1; 7/1922 Be u 220/5 R like, onto the end piece. The end pieces are rigidly 1534777 7/1927 Girdler H 220/18 and fixedly secured to each other by a rod generally 2.064.433 12/1936 Kronthal 248/96 Parallel to the Cylindrical g- Each end piece is 2.588957 3/1952 Brown 220 4 B integral with a projection axially aligned with the rod 2.624.451 H1953 Ewing 220/17 for mounting the carrier in the typical umbrella holder 2. 6145 l2/l 53 B ur urfi 230/17 on a golf bag. Additionally, these projections facilitate 3.092.277 6/1963 Brim 220/4 E FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 220/5 R Attorney, Agent, or Ft rrnRobert F. Ruemeli carrying the container in the manner of carrying a cane and, if desired, clamps may be provided on the rod or the projections for clamping the carrier to a tubular structural member of a golf cart, or any other suitable support.

4 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATEWEU AUG] 1 75 FIGI FIG.2

PORTABLE INSULATED CARRIER FOR CONTAINERS This invention relates to carriers and. more particularly. to insulated carriers for beverage cans or the like, and is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with a golf bag or cart.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous insulated carriers for containers are well known and are shown in various patents. For example. the conventional ice chest may be basically metal or alternatively an expanded insulating plastic such as expanded cellular polystyrene, or both. A Portable Cooler of generally typical type is shown in the following patent, US. Pat. No. 3,121,522.

A Thermal Jacket for Beverage Container is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,092,277. in which expanded polystyrene jackets for the various shaped beverage containers are split longitudinally, and are releasably held together by a cap and, if desired, also by an elastic band. The patent is not concerned with attaching the jacket to a support. A somewhat similar construction in the form of a Light-Weight Container is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,484,608, but this item is intended for shipping and storage of perishable items. such as foods, flowers, medicines and so forth. An Insulated Container for cans is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,071,282, in which a hollow. cylindrical shell is closed at one end and has its walls suitable insulated, and is provided with a screw cap at an open end for insertion and removal of the cans. The container is provided with a carrying strap as well as a clip for attaching the container to the rim of a golf bag with the container cap downward so that the lowermost can may be removed. Another Protective Container which is insulated for holding a bottle is shown in US. Pat. No. 3.120.319, and also has a hollow. cylindrical body with a screw top. A Bottle Carrier is shown in US. Pat. No. 2,73 l .l 82. in which an insulated zippered bag contains a liner for holding bottles, the liner and bag being secured to clamps for attachment of the carrier to a golf cart.

A Portable Carrier for Beverage Containers is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,578,199. in which a hollow, insulating cylinder of styrofoam is bonded to the interior of a protective shell, with opposite ends of the insulating cylinder normally closed by hinged closure members, so that beverage cans may be removed from either end (and may accidentally drop out if the lower closure member is inadvertently opened while carrying the carrier). Clamps are secured to the shell for attaching the carrier to a golf cart. A somewhat similar carrier for bottles is shown in US. Pat. No. 3.263.806. wherein a compression spring at the bottom of an insulated cylinder moves a series of bottles toward a normally closed open end of the cylinder.

Other United States patents of a more or less related nature are: US. Pat. Nos. l,l2l,072; 1.718.952; 1,722,134; 2.087.966; 2,226,308; 2,709,027; 3,086.647: 3.093.238: 3,187,886; 3.273.354;

3.380.608; and 3,456,833.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and useful carrier. A related object is provision of such a carrier which is insulated. Another related object is provision of such a carrier for carrying one or more containers and. more particularly, an elongated carrier for holding the containers in series alignment.

A further related object is provision for mounting the carrier in an umbrella support of a golf bag. A still further object is provision for mounting the carrier on a golf cart or other suitable structure and, if desired, for clamping the carrier to the cart or other structure. Still another related object is provision for carrying the carrier in the manner of carrying a cane. Another related object includes the carrier being in the form ofa hollow insulating housing split to form a fixed section, and a removable section normally held in operative assembly with the fixed section for release of the removable section to facilitate insertion and removal of containers from the housing. More particularly. another related object is provision of the housing in the form of a hollow cylinder of expanded cellular insulating plastic, the removable section being held in assembly by opposed end pieces. one of which is movable for releasing the removable section. A related object is provision in the movable end piece including a portion fixed to the fixed section of the housing and a hinged portion which is resiliently urged into holding engagement with the removable section. Still another related object is provision of a spring for urging the hinged section into holding engagement with the removable section. the spring being configured for clamping a score card or the like to the associated end piece.

Another object is provision of a carrier for containers. the carrier comprising a casing having individual sections, each extending between opposite ends of the carrier for encasing the containers when the sections are operatively assembled. and facilitating loading and unloading of the containers when the sections are separated. the carrier including end pieces, one for each of the ends of the casing, for releasably retaining the sections operatively assembled, the end pieces being secured to each other. A related object is provision of flanges extending between the ends of the casing and along interengaging edge portions of the operatively assembled sections, for aiding in releasably retaining the sections assembled. A related object is provision of the operatively assembled casing in the form of a generally elongated hollow cylinder. the sections being generally semi-cylindrical. Another related object is provision of the sections formed of an insulating material such as expanded cellular polystyrene, for example. Still another related object is provision of a first of the casing sections fixedly secured to the end pieces. Still another related object includes a member extending between the ends of the casing. and the end pieces secured to the member for providing a rigid assembly. Another related object is provision for carrying the easing and. more particularly. including: a projection extending outwardly from one of the ends of the casing and disposed for carrying the carrier in a manner similar to that of carrying a cane; a projection extending outwardly from each of the opposite ends of the casing to facilitate carrying the carrier in the manner ofa cane or for securing the carrier to a golf bag umbrella holder; and/or provision for clamping the carrier to a support, such as a golf cart. for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE lNVENTlON The invention. in brief, is directed to a carrier for one or more containers. The carrier has a hollow insulating housing or casing longitudinally split between opposite ends which are closed by end pieces. One of the end pieces has a movable portion which normally releasably holds a removable one of the sections in operatively closed assembly with the other section, for release of the removable section to facilitate loading and unloading of cans or bottles into or out of the casing. The end pieces are rigidly connected, for example. by a fixed one of the sections and/or by a rigid member to which clamps may be secured. if desired, for attaching the carrier to a suitable support. A projection may extend from the movable end piece so that the carrier may be carried in the manner of carrying a cane, and another projection may extend outwardly from the other end piece and in cooperation with the firstmentioned projection facilitates mounting the carrier in an umbrella support on a golf bag. The casing is preferably a hollow cylinder and the sections are preferably formed of a lightweight expanded plastic. such as expanded cellular polystyrene, for example.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the carrier of this invention, the carrier being mounted in a golf bag umbrella support with the golf bag secured to a golf cart;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the carrier removed from the golf bag and shown in open position for insertion or removal of containers from the carrier;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged upper end view of the carrier;

FIG. 4 is a fore-shortened, sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, with portions transposed or omitted in FIG. 3 being shown in phantom lines; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 55 in FIG. 4, but to a reduced scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, and initially to FIG. 1, a golf bag is attached in typical manner to a wheeled golf cart 12 having a handle 14. A carrier 16 for containers is mounted in an umbrella support of the golf bag '10, the umbrella support typically including retainers in the form ofa lower eye 18 (FIG. 4) for telescopically receiving a lower projection 20 of the carrier 16, and a suitable tie 22 (such as a strap and buckle) for receiving an upper projection 24 of the carrier. The projection 24 also provides for carrying the carrier in the manner of carrying a cane. Also, the carrier may be provided with clamps, as 26 (phantom lines in FIG. 4) for attaching the carrier to a frame member 28 of the cart, or other suitable supporting member.

Turning now to FIGS. 2-4, the carrier 16 includes a member in the form ofa tube or rod 30 having opposite ends fixedly secured to opposite end pieces 32 and 34. Each end piece has a socket 36 for receiving the adjacent end of the rod 30. and may be secured thereto in any suitable manner as by a fastener, such as a rivet 38, or by a jamb fit or a suitable adhesive. The rod 30 and end pieces 32 and 34 may be of any suitable material, such as a lightweight metal in the form of aluminum or magnesium. or they may be of any suitably strong rigid plastic. The projection 20 is preferably formed integrally with the end piece 32 and is preferably hollow to reduce its weight. The upper projection 24 is also preferably formed integrally with the end piece 34 and is also preferably hollow to reduce its weight. the two projections 20 and 24 being preferably axially aligned with the rod 30.

A housing or casing 40 for holding bottles or cans 41 5 is positioned between the end pieces 32 and 34. Expanded cellular polystyrene having a density of between about I and 2 pounds per cubic foot is a preferable material for forming the casing. In normal usage this material does not require metal sheathing, or the like. However, other materials and constructions may, if desired, be used. The casing 40 has opposite open ends abutting inner faces of the end pieces 32 and 34, and is split longitudinally to form a fixed semieylindrical section 42 with longitudinally extending flanges 43 (FIGS. 2 and 5) along its radial edge faces; and to form a removable semi-cylindrical section 44 (note FIG. 2) with longitudinally extending flanges 45 (FIGS. 2 and 5) along its radial edge faces, the flanges 43 and 45 cooperating to hold the removable section 44 against transverse movement when the sections 42 and 43 are operatively assembled. The flanges 43 and 45 form labyrinth seals to retard the escape of cold (or hot) air from within the closed casing 40. The fixed section 42 may be secured to the end pieces in any suitable spaced teeth 48 are formed integrally with the inner faces of each of the end pieces 32 and 34. These teeth 48 bite into the ends of the fixed section 42 which may further be secured to the end pieces as by a suitable adhesive.

An upstanding, continuous circumferential flange 50 is integral with the lower end piece 32 and encircles the bottom ends of the casing sections 42 and 44 to retain the sections operatively assembled. The upper end piece 34 has a movable portion 52 for releasably holding the removable section 44 and is connected to a fixed portion 54. The movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34 has a depending semi-cylindrical flange 53 for embracing and releasably holding the upper edge portion of the removable section 44 when this section is in operative assembly with the fixed section 42. Similarly. the fixed portion 54 of the upper end piece 34 has a depending semi-cylindrical flange 55 for embracing the upper portion of the fixed section 42 of the casing 40. The portions 52 and 54 are connected by means of a hinge including a rod 56 extending through apertured ears 58 (FIG. 3) on the movable portion 52 and similar cars 60 on the fixed portion 54. A spring 62 has a coiled portion telescoped on the hinge rod 56, a leg portion 64 seated on the movable portion 52 of the end piece 34, and leg portion 66 seated on the fixed portion 54 of the end piece. An outer portion 68 of the leg portion 64 is upturned (FIG. 4) to facilitate insertion of a card or the like, such as a score card, between the end piece 34 and the spring 62, thus clamping the card to the end piece for convenient access.

Upon swinging the movable portion 52 of the end piece 34 upwardly to the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 4, the removable section 44 of the casing 40 may be moved upwardly and outwardly to the position shown by phantom lines in FIG. 4, and out of engagement with the flange 50 of the lower end piece 32, so that it is removed from the assembly and the bottles or cans 41 may be inserted into or removed from the carrier. With the movable portion 52 of the end piece 34 held open. the removable section 44 is then inserted back onto its seat on the lower end piece 32 and the manner, and as illustrated a series of circumferentially Y movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34 is permitted to move downwardly responsive to the force of the spring 60 and into holding engagement with the upper end portion of the removable section 44.

Suitable pads, preferably of expanded polystyrene, are secured to the inner faces of the end pieces 32 and 34 inwardly of the casing 40. These pads include a cylindrical pad 72 seated on the inner face of the lower end piece 32 and adhesively secured thereto if desired, and a semi-cylindrical pad 74 adhesively secured to the inner face of the fixed portion 54 of the upper end piece 34 and a semi-cylindrical pad 76 adhesively secured to the inner face of the movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34. The edge of the pad 76 is bevelled. as at 78, to facilitate movement of the pad upwardly past the upper edge portion of the removable section 44 as the movable portion 52 is swung upwardly to release the movable section 44.

Alternatively, in lieu of pads 72, 74, and 76, similar pads (not shown) may extend completely across the inner faces of the end pieces 32 and 34, and the caseing may be shortened to abut the pads.

The carrier 16 has been described for use in conjunction with golfing equipment, but is equally applicable for use in various other environments. For example, the elongated configuration of the carrier and the various convenient modes of attachment make it particularly desirable for use on boats since it may be conveniently secured. as by straps or clamps, to handrails, masts and other such members. If desired, the upper projection 24 may be provided with a hole 78 for receiving a tie (not shown) so that the carrier may be suspended from a support. As shown herein, the carrier is designed to hold five standard 12 ounce soda, beer or refrigeration cans serially aligned. While the carrier may be made longer or shorter, the particular length shown'has been found to be desirable in that it is compatible with golf bags and carts and holds a goodly supply of cans or bottles.

In summary, the carrier 16 may be mounted in a typical umbrella holder 18, 22 of a golf bag, or it may be clamped (or otherwise secured) to a member 28 of a golf cart, or to another suitable structural member such as a handrail on a boat, or it may be carried in the manner of a cane by gripping the upper projection 34, or it may be suspended by means of a tie in the hole 78. In order to load the carrier with bottles or cans 41, the movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34 is swung upwardly whereupon the removable section 44 of the casing 40 may be moved upwardly and outwardly, out of engagement with the flange of the lower end piece 32, thus providing clear access for insertion of the bottles or cans. To replace the removable section 44, the movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34 is swung upwardly; the lower edge portion of the removable section 44 is telescoped into place within the flange 50 of the lower end piece 32 and its top swung inwardly; whereupon the movable portion 52 of the upper end piece 34 is released and the spring 62 returns the movable portion 54 downwardly and into engagement with the upper edge portion of the removable section 54, so that the flange 53 engages this edge portion.

While this invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment in various environments, various changes may be apparent to one skilled in the art, and the invention is therefore not to be limited to such embodiment or environments except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A carrier for one or more container, the carrier comprising a hollow casing having separable sections each extending between opposite end portions of-the casing, for encasing the containers when the sections are operatively assembled and for facilitating loading and unloading of the containers when the sections are separated, end pieces, one for each of said end portions of the casing, said end pieces being operatively fixedly secured to a first of said sections, a first of said end pieces having means in the form of a hinged portion releasably holding a second of said sections in operative assembly with the first section and for releasing the second section from the first section with the end pieces retained in said operative assembly, to facilitate loading and unloading of the containers.

2. A carrier as set forth in claim 1 including means normally retaining said hinged portion in holding engagement with the second section.

, 3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2 in which said casing, when operatively assembled, is generally an elon-' gated hollow cylinder, and said sections are generally semi-cylindrical and are expanded cellular polystyrene having a density of between about 1 and 2 pounds per cubic foot, said casing includes means releasably holding said sections operatively assembled, the holding means comprising cooperating flanges extending between said ends of said casing and along intercngaging edge positions of the operatively assembled sections, said end pieces are secured to a member extending between said ends of said casing, and means in the form of projections, one extending outwardly of each of said opposite ends, for carrying and mounting the carrier. 4. A carrier as set forth in claim 3 in which the retaining means comprises a spring configured and positioned to retain a score card, or the like, releasably clamped on the associated end portion. 

1. A carrier for one or more container, the carrier comprising a hollow casing having separable sections each extending between opposite end portions of the casing, for encasing the containers when the sections are operatively assembled and for facilitating loading and unloading of the containers when the sections are separated, end pieces, one for each of said end portions of the casing, said end pieces being operatively fixedly secured to a first of said sections, a first of said end pieces having means in the form of a hinged portion releasably holding a second of said sections in operative assembly with the first section and for releasing the second section from the first section with the end pieces retained in said operative assembly, to facilitate loading and unloading of the containers.
 2. A carrier as set forth in claim 1 including means normally retaining said hinged portion in holding engagement with the second section.
 3. A carrier as set forth in claim 2 in which said casing, when operatively assembled, is generally an elongated hollow cylinder, and said sections are generally semi-cylindrical and are expanded cellular polystyrene having a density of between about 1 and 2 pounds per cubic foot, said casing includes means releasably holding said sections operatively assembled, the holding means comprising cooperating flanges extending between said ends of said casing and along interengaging edge positions of the operatively assembled sections, said end pieces are secured to a member extending between said ends of said casing, and means in the form of projections, one extending outwardly of each of said opposite ends, for carrying and mounting the carrier.
 4. A carrier as set forth in claim 3 in which the retaining means comprises a spring configured and positioned to retain a score card, or the like, releasably clamped on the associated end portion. 